1. Sidewalk Chalk for the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club

Buy a $5 bucket of chalk, grab a seat, and go old-school and doodle. You’re money goes straight toward helping the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, an after-school program for neighborhood children.

2. features_taste of Paducah

Yes, the Lower Town Arts and Music Festival will have food on sticks, but if you are in the mood for something a little more sophisticated, check out booths from all of the major players in Paducah food — Doe’s Eat Place, Cynthia’s, Artisan Kitchen & Shandies and more.

3. Music From the Front Porch Live Broadcast

Murray’s WKMS, Kentucky’s public radio, will be broadcasting live for its final event in its 40th anniversary series. The broadcast will include sets from Terrapin Pond, The McKendrees, and Bawn in the Mash.

4. The After Parties

This will be Shandies’ first chance to host the Lower Town Arts and Music Festival After Party, and already has two nights of music planned. Take a walk downtown, enjoy Shandies’ unique menu and bar, then travel upstairs for the musical stylings of the Atomic City Ramblers on Friday night, then the $ellouts on Saturday night.

5. Balcony Players

One of the most interesting parts of the festival is the actors performing and interacting with guests on the streets. This year, there will be sporadic Balcony Theatre performances throughout the festival, but the best part of the act comes in the Children’s Tent with the gypsy trader. Any curious kid can try their bartering skills with the gypsy, who will take literally anything in their pocked, for a free book.

Contact Corianne Egan, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8652.